The Wait Begins… Hurricane Preparedness In The Caribbean

Written by Geno Teofilo, American Red Cross International Delegate

June 21, 2001

It's that time of year again. Hurricane season.

At American Red Cross chapters throughout the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions, preparations are being made. Volunteers receive disaster training, canned goods are stocked and shelters are assessed. Everyone knows the storms are coming. It's just a question of where, when, and how strong they will be. But the United States isn't the only country where preparations are being made. Many nations throughout the Caribbean and Central America are also getting ready, and the American Red Cross is with them to help prepare, stand watch and lend a hand if a hurricane comes.

Hurricane Mitch ravaged countries throughout Central America.

Hurricanes are well known to the nations of the Caribbean and Central America. Storms with names like Mitch and Georges have left behind a legacy many wish they could forget. These developing nations have long struggled with poverty, and when hurricanes strike, they often bring an already frail economy to its knees.

Local Red Cross societies in these nations have few resources and a reduced ability to respond to disasters as compared to the resource rich American Red Cross. However, what these countries are not short on is volunteer spirit. If disaster does strike, and foreign Red Cross assistance pours in, there will be local volunteers ready to help bring aid to their damaged nation.

Before responding to disasters, local Red Cross societies and their volunteers are encouraged by the American Red Cross to increase disaster preparedness in their countries. For the second year in a row, the American Red Cross has sponsored a Disaster Preparedness and Planning conference, where representatives of the Red Cross from countries throughout Central America gather to discuss their plans and that of their neighbors for response in the event of disaster. This year's conference was held just last month in San Salvador. "This second conference was an even greater success then the first. It brought together a larger number of individuals with experience in management of disaster relief operations. This resulted in more specific commitments from the national societies in improving their disaster response capabilities," said Israel Zuniga, head of the American Red Cross Regional Delegation for Central America.

The region has also taken strides in the area of communications. With funding from US-AID, the American Red Cross has helped to create the Central American Mitigation Initiative (CAMI). Implemented this year, CAMI has created an emergency communications network in the four countries most heavily damaged by Hurricane Mitch -- Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Providing equipment and training, the project connects emergency services nationwide, including such diverse groups as firefighters, government emergency services, and of course, the Red Cross. Such communication is invaluable in times of disaster, and will improve response time when disaster strikes.

Out in the Caribbean, Red Cross societies such as Antigua and St. Lucia are also receiving training from American Red Cross delegates on how to better respond in times of disaster. Relatively small societies, they are advised on organizational development and trained in community based disaster preparedness which is then passed on to local citizens.

After a powerful storm like Hurricane Mitch, flooded rural areas to take years to recover.

In Grenada, the ARC has provided training and other support. Even that far south, hurricanes can still wreak havoc. When Hurricane Lenny passed north of Grenada, the resulting waves deluged coastal regions of the island. Samantha Dickson is the Health & Safety Coordinator for the Grenada Red Cross. She describes their preparations: "We've begun mass care training for nurses, police, firemen, and other volunteers. We also do a disaster simulation every year, and provide training to hotel staff."

As hurricane-prone countries well know, no amount of preparation will stop the damaging effects of a powerful storm. America may be a strong nation, but we cannot forget how southern Florida was pummeled by Hurricane Andrew. If our country is spared, and disaster strikes our neighboring nations, the American Red Cross will be standing by to assist in case this hurricane season brings more than they can handle.

Hurricane season is just beginning. Stay tuned.